Mexico’s Amalia Perez sets world record at Toronto 2015

Mexico’s Amalia Perez was the star of the show on Monday (10 August), the third day of powerlifting at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games breaking her own world record to top the podium.

The two-time Paralympic champion added 0.5kg to her previous world’s best with a third round lift of 133.0kg/130.15 points to take gold in the women’s up to 55kg, 61kg and 67kg class.

Her teammate Miriam Aguilar Jimenez (90.0kg/95.01 points) claimed silver whilst Chile’s Camila Campos Dominguez (80kg/82.15 points) collected bronze.

“I feel proud and satisfied. What keeps me motivated is my passion and love for what I do. There are many more things to achieve, records to break and medals to win,” said Perez.

The women's up to 73kg, 79kg, 86kg and +86kg also saw another Mexican one-two. Perla Barcenas (125kg/109.36 points) enjoyed a successful return from an injured shoulder to break a Games record and top the podium. Catalina Diaz Vilchis (110kg/95.64 points) claimed silver ahead of Brazil’s Marcia Menezes (108kg/92.23 points).

“It is very touching for me to be back after such a long time and to have won the Parapan Am gold medal. I am now looking forward to competing at next year’s Rio Paralympics, where I hope to climb into the first step of the podium,” Perla said.

Brazil’s Evanio Rodrigues Da Silva dramatically took gold in the men's up to 80kg with a Parapan American record 190kg lift in the last round, after two failed attempts. Mexico’s Porfirio Arredondo Luna (188kg) sealed silver, whilst Colombia’s Francisco Palomeque (184kg) finished with bronze.

“I feel very happy. It was hard, but I could win thanks to my last lift,” Rodrigues Da Silva said. “I will continue training hard to win the gold at next year’s Rio Paralympics, at home,” he added.

Powerlifting continues at Toronto 2015 on Tuesday.